Combination sheet and pillowcase

ABSTRACT

A combination sheet and pillowcase wherein the pillow receiving pillowcase is integral with the sheet; the pillowcase comprising a fabric element of such a configuration and a mode of attachment thereof to the sheet as to provide for maximum mobility of the pillow when in use and manipulation thereof similar to that possible with pillows and pillowcases which are not attached to the sheet.

United States Patent [1 1 Valentine COMBINATION SHEET AND PILLOWCASE I76] Edith Valentine, 306 W. 18th St.,

New York, N.Y. 1001] Filed: Jan. 10,1972

Appl. N0.: 216,654

Inventor:

U.S. Cl. 5/334 R, 5/339 Int. Cl A47g 9/00 Field of Search 5/334, 335, 339, 334 R, 5/343, 344, 327 R, 327 B, 325, 337;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hahne 5/339 X Apr. 2, 1974 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerAndrew M. Calvert Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Philip G. Hilbert ABSTRACT A combination sheet and pillowcase wherein the pillow receiving pillowcase is integral with the sheet; the pillowcase comprising a fabric element of such a configuration and a mode of attachment thereof to the sheet as to provide for maximum mobility of the pillow when in use and manipulation thereof similar to that possible with pillows and pillowcases which are not attached to the sheet.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 2 2914 3.800340 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been proposed to attach a pillowcase to a bedsheet. While a number of constructions embodying the sheet and pillowcase have been suggested; such known constructions appear to be deficient in one or more respects and have failed to be used in any substantial quantities.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved combination sheet and pillowcase wherein the pillowcase is of a part tubular configuration, which allows the same to be secured to the sheet along spaced side edge portions thereof; such mode of attachment allowing for manipulation of the pillow in use to suit -varied preferences of the users thereof.

, Another object of this invention is to provide a combination sheet and pillowcase of the character vdescribed, wherein a pillow received in the pillowcase portion may be manipulated to vary its cross-sectional appearance despite the constraint of the pillowcase.

A furtherobject of this invention is to provide a combination sheet and pillowcase of the character described, wherein the joinder of the pillowcase to the sheet is of limited longitudinal extent so as to leave opposite end portions of the pillowcase unattached to the sheet thereby leaving the corresponding end portions of the pillow disposed within the pillowcase free for manipulation as by allowing the arms of the user to be inserted beneath the endportions of the contained pillow.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination sheet and pillowcase of the character described, wherein the pillowcase has spaced side edge portions thereof secured to the sheet, whereby a pillow contained in the pillowcase may be manipulated to suit the comfort of the user, yet leaving minimal stresses along the secured portions of the pillowcase.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a combination sheet and pillowcase of the character described, wherein the opposite end portions of the pillowcase are in unsecured relation to the sheet, whereby to allow such end portions to overhang the sides of the-- mattress and giving a pleasing appearance to the combination sheet and pillowcase.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination sheet and pillowcase of the character described, which allows for easy insertion of a pillow in either end of the pillowcase; provides a saving in time for making a bed; eliminates the need for separate storage place for pillowcases; increases laundering efficiency; and lends itself to optimum usage by institutions such as hospitals, homes and the like.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The pillowcase forming strip has its lateral marginal portions turned inwardly toward each other but in spaced relation; the marginal edges thereof being turned outwardly along parallel fold lines. The strip is stitched or otherwise secured to the sheet along the parallel fold lines.

Further, the stitch lines may terminate short of the opposite end edges of the pillowcase; thereby leaving the opposite ends of a pillow inserted into the pillowcase, free of the sheet. Thus, an arm of the user may be inserted between the pillow ends and the opposed portion of the sheet.

The unattached end portions of the pillowcase may be mitered on the underside thereof. Further, the length of the pillowcase portion may be extended to provide opposite end portions thereof which are adapted to extend beyond the sides of the mattress and to provide end portions which will drape over the sides of the mattress. 7

Thus, as shown in the drawing, and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the combination bed sheet and pillowcase embodying the invention, is generally indicated at 10. The same is adapted to be spread over a conventional mattress M having side edges 11, a top edge 12 and a bottom edge 13.

The combination bed sheet and pillowcase 10 comprises a bed sheet portion 15 and a pillowcase portion 16 attached thereto. The bed sheet portion 15 is of dimensions related to those of the mattress M, so as to provide the usual marginal side portions 17, marginal head portion 18 and marginal foot portion 19. Such marginal portions l7, l8 and 19 are adapted to be folded about the edges 11, 12 and 13 of mattress M in the usual manner.

- The pillowcase portion 16 is formed of a strip of suitable fabric of rectangular shape, with a length related to the width of the mattress M and a width of the order of from two to two and one-third times the width of the selected pillow P to be encased therein.

The strip of fabric forming pillowcase portion 16 has marginal portions 20 turned toward each other to bring portions 21 thereof in spaced relation along parallel fold lines 22 which turn marginal edges portions 23, 23A outwardly away from each other. Stitch lines 24 secured marginal edge portions 23, 23A to sheet 15; stitch line 23A being located about 3 inches from top edge 12 of mattress M.

It has been found that when-fold lines 22 of pillowcase portion 16 have a spacing of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches, the encasedpillow P may be readily manipulated by the user to suit his comfort. Further, the pillow P is readily inserted at either end of the pi]- lowcase portion 16, thereby saving time for making up a bed. Also, it has been found that with pillowcase portion 16, allows for retention of shape of the pillow P in any selected position thereof as dictated by the choice of the user.

It is not uncommon for users to dispose an arm between a pillow and the sheet. Accordingly, pillowcase portion 16 may be left unattached to sheet at its opposite ends. To this end, the underside portions 21 may be mitered at the opposite ends of the pillowcase portion 16, as at 25. The lines of stitching 24 terminate at the inner points 26 of the mitered edges 25. Preferably, the points 26 are located from 9 inches to 12 inches from the end edges 27 of pillowcase portion 16. Thus, the ends 27 of pillowcase portion 16 are substantially coterminous with the side edges 11 of mattress M.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3; the pillowcase portion 16 may be of extended length so that end edges 27A thereof project beyond side edges 11 of mattress M. In this case, the mitered edges 25A extend to the terminal points 26A of the stitch lines 24. Thus, the opposite ends of the pillowcase portion 16 may be draped over the sides of mattress M.

It is understood that in lieu of mitered straight edges 25, 25A, such edges may be of curved or other selected configurations. Also, the pillowcase portion 16 may be applied to contoured bed sheets as well as to the usual flat sheets.

I claim:

1. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase comprising a bed sheet portion and a pillowcase portion disposed on one end of said bed sheet portion, said pillowcase portion including opposed longitudinally extending marginal side portions turned inwardly toward each other and marginal edge portions of said side portions turned outwardly of each other to thereby provide longitudinally extending bight portions connecting said therebetween of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches.

3. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises stitch lines having terminal ends located at points inwardly of the outer ends of said strip whereby the opposite end portions of said pillowcase portion are in unsecured relation to said bed sheet.

4. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 3 wherein the marginal side portions of said pillowcase portion have inwardly converging edge portions at the opposite ends thereof; the inner ends of said converging side portions terminating at the ends of said stitch lines.

5. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 1 wherein said pillowcase portion has a transverse dimension equal to from two to two and one-third times the width of a pillow to be inserted into said pillowcase portion. 

1. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase comprising a bed sheet portion and a pillowcase portion disposed on one end of said bed sheet portion, said pillowcase portion including opposed longitudinally extending marginal side portions turned inwardly toward each other and marginal edge portions of said side portions turned outwardly of each other to thereby provide longitudinally extending bight portions connecting said marginal side portions and said marginal edge portions, and means for securing said marginal edge portions of the pillowcase portion to said bed sheet portion along lines spaced outwardly of said bight portions, said marginal side portions of the pillowcase portion being operative to support surface portions on the underside of a pillow disposed in said pillowcase portion and to allow for selective displacement of said pillow relative to opposed portions of said bed sheet portion.
 2. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 1 wherein said bight portions have a spacing therebetween of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches.
 3. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises stitch lines having terminal ends located at points inwardly of the outer ends of said strip whereby the opposite end portions of said pillowcase portion are in unsecured relation to said bed sheet.
 4. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 3 wherein the marginal side portions of said pillowcase portion have inwardly converging edge portions at the opposite ends thereof; the inner ends of said converging side portions terminating at the ends of said stitch lines.
 5. A combination bed sheet and pillowcase as in claim 1 wherein said pillowcase portion has a transverse dimension equal to from two to two and one-third times the width of a pillow to be inserted into said pillowcase portion. 